Busted: Foxconn worker detained for allegedly leaking the iPhone 6

Even though we’ve grown very used to seeing Apple products leak well before they’re launched, the iPhone 6 seemed to leak even more than usual as we couldn’t go a day without seeing yet another leaked picture of the device’s rear shell. The Wall Street Journal now reports that a Foxconn employee has been detained by Chinese police for his alleged role in stealing iPhone 6 rear shells from a Foxconn factory and selling them to a local electronics retailer for 1,000 yuan (~USD $162) a piece.

Citing Chinese media sources, the Journal informs us that the worker found an advertisement near where he worked letting him know that a retailer would pay a sizable sum for leaked Apple iPhone components. The worker allegedly snuck out six shells one at a time and shrewdly evaded security checks in the factory by walking out during peak hours when it’s harder for guards to notice you slipping in and out.

Most remarkably, Foxconn reportedly actually noticed the six shells were missing and reported the matter to police. If Foxconn has such control over its inventory that it will notice six missing shells out of millions, then it’s a wonder we get any leaks about the iPhone 6 at all.